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Stanley Cup playoffs

One year after winning the Stanley Cup, the Chicago Blackhawks aren't a lock to make the playoffs. That's one of three story lines Craig Custance says to keep an eye on as the NHL regular season winds down.

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Washington Capitals forward Jason Arnott noticed the nerves in the dressing room before his teammates took the ice against the New York Rangers for Game 5 of their series in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Caps were up 3-1, and yet they couldn't hide their nervousness.

Unlike last year, the Capitals knew what was at stake. They understood how important, how absolutely crucial, it was that they knock out the Rangers while they had the chance.

"Everybody was ready to go from the drop of the puck," Arnott said following Washington's 3-1 victory over the Rangers -- a victory that advances the Capitals to the Eastern Conference semifinals. "It's always hard to put a team out."

One year after winning the Stanley Cup, the Chicago Blackhawks aren't a lock to make the playoffs. That's one of three story lines Craig Custance says to keep an eye on as the NHL regular season winds down.